MANILA, July 18 -- Catholic Church leaders are ready to slug it out with the supporters of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill when the 15th Congress open later this month.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Bishop Nereo Odchimar admitted that the number of lawmakers who are backing the bill's passage is outnumbered by those who are siding with the bishops.
"It will be an uphill battle," the Tandag, Surigao del Norte prelate said.
Despite not having the number, Odchimar said they will not give up on their quest, as they will not simply bow out and hand the bill on a silver platter.
"We have our own duty and we have to speak out. We are not being cowed that just because they are many, we have to keep silent," he said.
The CBCP has repeatedly opposed the passage of the bill which they say is anti-life because it promotes artificial family planning methods.
Last week, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman is optimistic that the RH bill will finally be passed into law after repeatedly failing in past Congresses.
On July 1, the controversial bill was re-filed, it is now House Of Representatives House Bill 96, which is dubbed as entitled "Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population and Development.
Lagman claims that 132 co-authors of the RH bill in the 14th Congress had ran for re-election in the recently-concluded May 10 polls and won. (PNA)
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